Massaging device



-Oct. 23,1956 L. TOIVONEN' I ,757

MASAGING JDEVICE Filed May 27, 1955 ATTORNEY United States Patent MASSAGING DEVICE Lauri Toivonen, East Elmhurst, N. Y. Application May 27, 1955, Serial No. 511,499 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-57) This invention relates to massaging devices, and more particularly to massaging devices of the manually operable type.

The manually operable massaging devices of the prior art are of many and varied shape, each being arranged to provide a certain operative feature, or desired result. In many cases the structures are very complicated, bulky, costly to manufacture, or adapted for limited use.

The device of the present invention is extremely simple and rugged in design, is of light weight, and is very flexible in use. It is arranged to be used for massaging the bottom of a users foot by an easy foot motion, or may be used for massaging other parts of the body, such as the legs, arms, etc. When used for foot massaging, the device of the invention will stay firmly positioned upon a flat surface, while when used for massaging other parts of the body, it may be easily grasped and maneuvered by the user, or another. In addition to simplicity, ruggedness, and flexibility, the device of the invention is adapted to provide a vibratory action to the muscles as they are being massaged.

The use of the device of the invention is helpful in relieving muscular aches and pains, in stimulating blood circulation, in kneading muscles, in exercising weak arches, and in general, producing a feeling of comfort, relaxation and well being.

The main object of the invention is to provide a manually operable massaging device Which may be conveniently used for foot massaging, and for massaging other parts of the body.

Another object is to provide a massaging device which will remain firmly in position upon a flat surface, and which can be easily grasped and maneuvered by the user, or another, when used for massaging other parts of the body.

A further object is to provide a massaging device which is extremely simple and rugged in construction, is of light weight, is very flexible in use, is of low cost, and which is adapted to provide long and satisfied service.

These and further objects and features of the invention, will become more apparent from the description of the invention when read in connection with the appended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention as used when massaging the bottom of the users foot;

Fig. 2 illustrates the device of the invention as used for massaging another part of the users body;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a section view as seen from line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial section view as seen from line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of cylinder bearing members used in the device of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a partial section view of a variation of the device of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, a massaging device illustrative of an embodiment of the invention includes a base member 11, to which is secured two L-shaped arms,

' be made by the well known or lugs, 12, arranged perpendicular to the-base member. A shaft 13 is supported at each end by the lugs 12, the ends of the shaft being headed, or peened, on the outside of the lugs to thus fix the shaft against axial movement. A roller, or cylinder, 14 surrounds the shaft 13, and is rotatably mounted thereon by means of a pair of supporting members 16. The latter are V-shaped, and have a curved portion 17 extending along the region of the apex, the curved portion having a radius of curvature which conforms with the radius of shaft 13. It will be seen that the supporting members 16 serve as bearings to provide full support for the cylinder along its entire length.

Base member 11 is preferably formed of two pieces of light weight metal sheet, 11a and 11b, such as aluminum, and are made symmetrical, in a metal stamping operation. A pair of elongated openings 18 are provided on each side of the lugs 12, as shown. The base member has five indentations 19, each having a hole for reception of a fastening means, such as a bolt and nut 21, for holding the two pieces of the base member together. Arranged in each indentation 19 on the bottom piece 11b, is a rubber washer 22, which is held in position by the nut of fastening means 21. The edges of each rubber project beyond the bottom surface of the base member to provide friction contacts with a flat surface on which the massaging device is placed for foot massaging, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The cylinder 14 is preferably made of light weight metal sheet, such as aluminum, and is formed in two symmetrical cup-shaped parts 14a and 14b, which may deep drawn process. A series of longitudinal ridges, or flutes, 23, are provided in the surface of the cylinder, which flutes are spaced approximately 45 apart. By means of such flutes, the cylinder will provide a vibratory action as it is briskly rolled over the surface of the users body.

By means of the above described construction, it will be seen that a massaging device according to the invention is provided, which is of s' ple design, of light weight, and of rugged construction. Once the cylinder 14 is assembled upon the shaft 13, it can be moved only in a rotary direction, and the supporting members 16 will provide full length bearing means, so that the cylinder can be subjected to a relatively heavy load as it is being used in massaging. In assembling the device, it is recommended that a lubricant, such as a grease or heavy oil, be applied to the shaft so that the cylinder can be rotated with the least amount of effort.

In Fig. 7, a variation of an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The only difference between the massaging device of this embodiment, and that described heretofore is that the cylinder 24 is made of a solid nonmetallic material, such as rubber, cork, or wood. The device of the Fig. 7 embodiment, is for use in massaging, when a vibratory effect is not wanted, such as is produced by a fluted cylinder.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific embodiment, it will be apparent that certain changes in structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, hence the invention is to be limited only to the degree set forth in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A massaging device comprising a base member made of two symmetrically formed rigid sheets, a hollow cylinder formed of two symmetrical cup-shaped parts having a plurality of longitudinal flutes on the surface, a pair of L-shaped arms affixed to the base member, a round shaft supported at its ends by the arms, a pair of cylinder supporting members within the cylinder and being approxisurface of the base member on the side opposite the mately the same length as the cylinder and having a L-shaped arms. curved portion extending along the region engaging the Referencgs Cited in the file of this Patent shaft, said base member having an elongated opening arranged on each side of the cylinder, fastening means 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS to hold the base member together, and a rubber disc se- 1,882,490 Falck Oct. 11, 1932 cured by each fastening means to project beyond the 2,007,737 Anderson July 9, 1935 

